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Living meditation, what the ancient sage Patanjali described as pouring samadhi, like an unbroken stream of oil, into the other three states of waking, dream and deep sleep, is the fully integrated state that we are capable of knowing directly.
We typically "practice" meditation in a quieter environment, gently reducing movements of mind and body, to discover what is already present - the state of meditation - unbroken and uncaused - the state that is as natural to our infinite, boundless Self as the other states are to our limited body/mind self.
Meditation subsumes and transcends the ordinary states of waking, dream and deep sleep. Living in the natural fullness of that integrative state is the aim of skillful practice, full practice, eventually effortless practice and finally simply the unfolding of our innate state of radically free Consciousness.
Doing practices, engaging in sadhana, is like reading a book. Even as you read the first sentence of the book, the whole book already exists in its entirety, in all its fullness and richness, but due to the nature of mind, you can only access it word by word; you can only savor it sentence by sentence. Your attempts to skip ahead, to bypass this or that, are only another sentence or two in the book of your sadhana. It doesn't help to flip back, flip forward or flip out! Better to be fully present and savor the moment; it's the place where meditative mind intersects the waking, dream and deep sleep states. It's the only place you will encounter the awake One, your own true Self.
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Living in the Presence
Weekend Meditation Retreat June 3-5, 2016
Living In The Presence
Meditation Retreat
Friday evening-Sunday afternoon, June 3-5, 2016
Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY
Profound meditation unfolds the direct experience of Living in the Presence, knowing the Infinite as your Self and keeping the company of your highest nature through everyday life. During this retreat, through meditations, empowered mantras, chanting and instruction, you can learn to access what lies beyond the mind - the power, joy, compassion and creativity of the One - and deepen your experience of living each day in the wise, loving Presence of the Divine within.
Advance registration required since space is limited. Please visit the Garrison Institute to register.
For more information please visit: Events
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Thank you all
for your notes of appreciation for our
newsletter. It's great to hear from you!
Numerous people who attended the November meditation retreat wrote about their amazing and mind-stopping experiences of diksha, Shakti flowing through the mantras, chants, and the Maha Kali Yantra. Virtually everyone felt the Presence, the palpable, living Presence of the Divine that filled the sacred space of our meditation hall. I continue to hear from people who tell me the gifts of grace unfold for them through their practices at home and in everyday life. It truly was a grace-filled retreat. The genuine openhearted and dedicated nature of all who came must have been irresistible to the Divine! She came in all her glory!
We're working on scheduling the spring retreat, so keep in touch!
Everyone has
the heart to be a true friend of the soul, an
"Anam
Cara." By embodying that ideal we
may serve to help
others to find love and compassion within
themselves and the world.
Our highest nature is always
manifest in
relationship - to all other beings, to the
environment, community, loved ones, and in relation to our own body and
mind. Becoming mindful of the quality of our
relationships
allows us to learn where the light shines and
where it
needs to shine more. The ideal of Anam
Cara is to
continuously endeavor to expand the depth
and the
inclusiveness of the loving kindness we bring
into
every relationship, every moment, every breath.
If
you have any
suggestions, comments or sharings, for our
newsletter please don't
hesitate to e-mail me and I'll do my best to
respond.
The Anam Cara Meditation
Foundation is a 501
(C) 3,
non-profit
educational organization dedicated to
teaching
meditative practices. Our non-
denominational
programs are open to all. There are free
meditation instructions and downloadable
audio files of guided meditations on the
meditation page of our website.
Thank you for the many ways you have shown
support for Anam Cara . Because
of your gifts we can offer free programs and
instruction to thousands of people. If you
would like to
make a tax deductible donation please send it to the
address listed below or go to our website
where you
can make a secure online donation.
A special thank you to our generous supporters who give donations and make regular pledged donations.
I look forward to welcoming you
in person to our programs.
With
all my
appreciation and love, I thank you all.
May all beings know complete freedom from suffering and may all our actions reflect only wisdom, compassion, patience and love.
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